Obituary for Merlin L. Anderson
Obituary for Merlin L. Anderson Merlin L. Anderson, 88, of Bicknell, Indiana, passed away at Union Hospital in Terre Haute on March 7 , 2016. He was born on July 13, 1927 to James and Lela Anderson of Bicknell, Indiana. He was the youngest of six sons. He attended the Brick School through the eighth grade and graduated from Edwardsport High School in 1945. He played basketball for the Edwardsport Powers. He married the love of his life, Elizabeth "Betty" (Brown) Anderson on June 7, 1945, in Morganfield, Kentucky. She preceded him in death on August 23, 2007. On June 9, 1945, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He served in the Philippines on the LSM394 in Subic Bay from September 1945 to July 1946. After his discharge, he returned to Bicknell and opened Anderson�s Restaurant on Highway 67. His family lived behind the restaurant until about 1951 when he bought a 2-story house on East Ninth Street. In 1951, his job with the Jewel Tea Company transferred him to both Vincennes and Sullivan, Indiana and he worked there for 10 years. He returned to Bicknell to work part time for the U. S. Postal Service and Bicknell Elks Lodge. He worked as a mail carrier from 1961-1983 and was the Bicknell postmaster from 1983-1989. He enjoyed traveling and has been in most of the 50 states, including Hawaii and Canada. He went on several fishing trips and deer hunting trips, but was also happy to stay closer to home and fish at �Anderson�s Pit� south of Bicknell. He was active in the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks, serving as both Exalted Ruler of the Bicknell Elks and District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler Indiana Southwest District. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge. V.F.W. and the French Club (all in Bicknell). He literally knew everyone in Bicknell and before his illness he could still recite the addresses of the residents of Bicknell. He is survived by his children, Barbara (Howard) Atkinson, Terre Haute, Indiana, Don (Paula) Anderson, Birdseye, Indiana, Mike (Judy) Anderson, Zionsville, Indiana, Denise (Steve) Cofer, Kalispell, Montana, and Marilyn (Bryce) Waggoner, Lebanon, Ohio. His daughter, Charlotte (Pug) Anderson, passed away on July 3, 2012. He was "Popaw" to his grandchildren: Suzanne (Troy) Helt, Chris (Kelly) Atkinson, Robert (Tiffany) Atkinson, Amy (Bill) Samm, Jessie Downey, Vicki Anderson, Shawn Anderson, Jeremy (Angie) Anderson, Beau (Christie) Anderson, Cassie (Josh) Lee, Kristine Cofer, Sarah (Rob) Wellemeyer, Samantha Cofer, Kelli Waggoner and Austin (Megan) Waggoner, 20 great-grandchildren with 2 on the way and 1 great-great grandchild. He was preceded in death by 2 grandchildren, Tod Cofer (September 19, 1984) and Tanner Anderson (November 14, 2002). He is also survived by his very special friends, Bruce and Ginny Westfall and their families. Funeral services will be celebrated Saturday March 12, 2016 at 11:00 AM at the Duesterberg-Fredrick Wampler Shaw Chapel, Bicknell. IN. The family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. on Friday, March 11, 2016 at the funeral home. He will be laid to rest in the Bicknell Memorial Cemetery. Military gravesite honors will be presented by the All Weather Firing Squad. The family requests in lieu of flowers that donations be made to: Elks National Foundation, 2750 N. Lakeview Avenue, Chicago, IL 60614-2256 or enf.elks.org .
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